Plans on Fast Track for CCISD’s Second Science Magnet

The Clear Creek Independent School District has announced it will expedite plans to launch a second Science Magnet program, moving the original kick-off date from August 2019 to August 2018. “When we began to look at the construction timeline coupled with our desire to not turn kids away from pursuing their interests in science, it all came together nicely,” said Scott Bockart, Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education. “While the construction is ongoing, programmatically we will take applications for interested incoming 6th graders this January.”

In May 2017, the community overwhelmingly supported $10.3 million in funding to expand Brookside Intermediate in Friendswood so that the school can be the second site for the highly popular Science Magnet. The expansion includes six new classrooms and four science labs. The allocated funds will also pay for the expansion and renovation of the fine arts area. Currently, Seabrook Intermediate is the home to the science program for approximately 300 interested 6th-8th graders districtwide. Due to space limitations, the district historically denies more than 200 applications annually.

The August 2018 launch of the Science Magnet at Brookside Intermediate will be for 6th grade students only, with the subsequent years adding a grade level. “We still have a ways to go to determining the elementary schools that will be served by the new magnet school as well as hiring a program manager,” said Bockart. “All of those details will be worked out by January.”

Recently, the Clear Creek ISD Board of Trustees approved the design of the magnet expansion and the fine arts addition at Brookside Intermediate. Construction is anticipated to begin in December 2017 with a proposed completion of early August 2018; however, availability of contractors and subcontractors may affect timelines due to Hurricane Harvey recovery efforts across the area. PBK is the architect.